I Miss

I miss her sweet head in the crook of my shoulder.

I miss her eyes, heavier and heavier and finally closed.

I miss the milky baby smell, the little braids that scratch my chin.

I miss the perfect finders and toes, the arms that reach out for mine.

I miss tiny bundles of blankets containing life redeemed.

I miss holding my sweet kids and singing God's grace over them, praying for healing of their tiny shattered hearts.

Rebuild (Redemption)

I think there's always uncertainty at the beginning of a new school year.  What will this year hold?  Will I survive my classes with decent grades to boot?  What new unexpected things will happen this semester?  Who will I end up spending my time with?  How will I be different by the end?  My answers are different this year as I'll only be on campus for fall semester.  The arc of my time at Hope for this year lasts for four months instead of nine.  Life will go on without me, and I will not have Hope with me.  Anyways, the first weeks are always crazy.  Last night, I was at a worship night in someone's living room, with about 20 other people.  It was spontaneous and beautiful and awesome to just have some God time.  An analogy that came to mind is of a brick wall.  There are circumstances in our lives that knock out or blast apart pieces of the "walls" of our lives- disappointments, hurts, hard times, failures, sin.  But redemption happened on the cross.  In His dying, Jesus covered our sins and offers this broken world redemption in Him.  In Him, our broken walls can be rebuilt.  When I experience His healing and reconciliation in my own life I often imagine that the holes in the wall are being rebuilt.  The wall is stronger and more beautiful than before.  "You're Beautiful" by Phil Wickham was one of the songs that we sang last night, famous for its melodious "ooohs."  (Just listen to the song).  Everyone really went for it on these parts... I think we had at least five different keys going on, but I think that almost made it better... it was just glorious praise!  In the time I got to spend with Him last night, God let me know that He is rebuilding and redeeming me, just as He is for you too.  This can only be found in Him.

When we arrive at eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing
You're beautiful 


Savior 
Redeemer
Restorer 
Rebuilder 
Lord, You are beautiful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGlTzH9xkXQ